Sunday, July 9, 2023

Waimea Canyon

 

a waterfall and drop-off views


the road snakes along the western ridge of Waimea Canyon,

allowing access to views and hikes that pull at us to stop, to walk,






we park and descend a jeep road

through lush growth forest

till the land demands a narrower trail,

the dusty dry pebbly soil,

worth caution, particularly where it drops with some enthusiasm,

rock and root and the steps of former hikers ease the way,


the trail opens into cliff edge

with the valley abruptly below us,

the air speckled with soaring birds,


my will ready to give up 

with the heights we edge

so manifest to my fears,

the trail steepens enough for me 

to choose to sit and scoot,

then an abrupt turn to the left,

and in 3-5 minutes, we're at the waterfall!



















20 feet of water joyously jumps down the rocks

and fills a shallow pool

many love to enter,




































































































I savor the drop-off views more 

on the way back than the way down,


















and savor that my aging body can still handle

the pull back up the slopes to the car.











































by Henry H. Walker
July 5, ‘23

No comments: